EXCLUSIVE: 'I am proud to be an actor & to belong to film industry': Jaya Bachchan hits back at Naresh Agarwal

SP leader and Akhilesh Yadav's strongman Naresh Agarwal created a furore today when he called Jaya Bachchan a "filmo mein dance karne wali". Justifying his move to the BJP, Agarwal said that he was disappointed with the Samajwadi Party as the party gave a ticket to someone who "does role in films" and compared him to someone who dances in films.

Jaya Bachchan file photo&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspPTI

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP and veteran actor Jaya Bachchan has said that she is "proud to be an actor and to belong to the film industry". She was talking exclusively to Times Now on the backdrop of her former party colleague and now BJP member Naresh Agarwal's comments on her calling her a "filmo mein dance karne wali". Agarwal created a furor today when he called Jaya Bachchan a "filmo mein dance karne wali (someone who dances in films)". Justifying his move to the BJP, Agarwal said that he was disappointed with the Samajwadi Party as the party gave a ticket to someone who "does roles in films" and compared him to someone who "dances" in films. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter and said that his comments on Bachchan were "improper and unacceptable". Naresh Agarwal calls Jaya Bachchan "filmon mein dance karnewali", "comment unacceptable" says Sushma Swaraj

Speaking exclusively to Times Now, Bachchan said, "I don't have any comments on what others say. They are most welcome to (express) their opinion. I am very proud to be a film actor and I am thankful to my leaders- Mulayam Singh, Akhilesh ji, for giving me another opportunity... I thank them very much. That's all I have to say and I do not want to say anything more."

Distancing her party from Agarwal's comments, Bachchan said, "He does not bring this sabhyatafrom SP. It is his personal reaction. As far as SP is concerned they have said that they want to give women the importance and that women must be represented properly and that is why our president, leaders have selected me." "There have been many times when people have spoken not very well about women and I have always reacted to it.. That's it," she added. "It is a free country. Everybody is allowed to express the way they feel." she adding, "I am very proud to be an actor and to belong to the film industry."

She thanked Sushma Swaraj for having stood by her side. Talking about Bachchan, the former SP strongman Agarwal had earlier on Monday said: "My ticket was denied and I was compared to someone who works in films and my ticket was given to some one who dances in films and does roles in films. (filmomeinkaamkarne wali semeri haisiyat ki gayi, filmo mein dance kar de, apna role karde, woh logo ke naam par hamara ticket kata gaya). That is even more painful. My son Nitin who is an SP MLA is also joining BJP and will vote for BJP in Rajya Sabha. I would like to thank PM Modi and Amit Shah for showing faith in me."

"Shri Naresh Agarwal has joined Bhartiya Janata Party. He is welcome. However, his comments regarding Jaya Bachhan ji are improper and unacceptable," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in a tweet.

EXCLUSIVE: 'I am proud to be an actor & to belong to film industry': Jaya Bachchan hits back at Naresh AgarwalDescription:SP leader and Akhilesh Yadav's strongman Naresh Agarwal created a furore today when he called Jaya Bachchan a "filmo mein dance karne wali". Justifying his move to the BJP, Agarwal said that he was disappointed with the Samajwadi Party as the party gave a ticket to someone who "does role in films" and compared him to someone who dances in films. Times Now